CLEVELAND — Barring a colossal meltdown over the next three weeks, the Mets are expected to retain manager Terry Collins, and that could leave a favorite son in limbo.

According to a Mets source, Wally Backman — who is managing the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas — could have his “hand forced” to leave the organization if he’s not offered the major league managerial position or at least a spot on next year’s coaching staff. The decision to leave would be Backman’s.

Backman, who has Las Vegas in the Pacific Coast League playoffs, was a finalist for the managerial job that went to Collins after the 2010 season and considered leaving the organization a year later, but stayed after consulting with his mentor, Davey Johnson.

Sources have said general manager Sandy Alderson values the strong working relationship he has with Collins, and team officials have been happy with the manner in which the club was playing before injuries to David Wright, Matt Harvey and Bobby Parnell, among others, decimated the roster in August.

According to sources, the Mets have not yet discussed with Backman a potential role for next season. Last year, Backman was added as an extra coach for the final few weeks of September, after the Triple-A season had ended, but there has been no indication he will serve in that role this year.

The Mets did not make any changes to their coaching staff after last year, and will wait until finalizing the managerial situation before addressing it for next season.
Former Mets phenom Scott Kazmir is scheduled to make his first career start against his former team Friday night. The Mets infamously traded Kazmir to the Rays in 2004 for Victor Zambrano, who had a bad elbow.

The 29-year-old Kazmir is 7-7 with a 4.36 ERA for the Indians after not pitching in the major leagues in 2012and appearing in just one game for the Angels the previous year. Kazmir worked out for Mets officials during spring training in 2012, but went unsigned until landing with the independent Atlantic League later that summer.

Daisuke Matsuzaka likely will receive at least one start after Sunday, according to a club source. The Mets’ plan is to keep the veteran right-hander at least through next weekend’s doubleheader against the Marlins. Veteran Aaron Harang would then be in position to assume Matsuzaka’s spot over the final two weeks.